Page 19 of Eris

Enzo quickly unloaded his bags and choked on his laughter when he found a one-liter pump bottle of lube with a red bow and a note tied to it saying,

'Wishing you a wet voyage,

Love, Laverna.'

"You guys really thought of everything," he chuckled.

"Laverna is hoping you two hit it off. Our Eris has been alone for a long time. Be patient. She's not as grumpy as she seems, just cautious," Sidonius said and went to get more supplies.

Enzo finished unloading and when he got back up on deck, Eris was standing on the narrow dock holding bags. She was in a black sundress, and the miles of bare skin made Enzo's mouth water.

"Here, let me help you with those," he said, rushing to take her bags.

Eris handed them over without a fuss and accepted his hand to help her onboard. "I didn't mean to sleep so late."

"It's okay. Sidonius only arrived a little while ago with food and equipment," Enzo said as she stepped on deck. "Laverna has some interesting ideas on what constitutes as 'supplies.'"

Eris rolled her eyes. "Fates, what did she do?" She went below deck and must have found the lube because she squawked angrily.

Enzo roared with laughter and called down, "Don't worry, sweetheart, if I do my job right, we won't need to use it at all."

Eris stuck her head out. "You're insufferable," she retorted, but her eyes were smiling as she said it.

"It's going to be a long trip," Enzo replied, crouching down on deck so they were at face level. "I'm sure I'll grow on you."

The sun caught Eris's eyes, turning their darkness to an imperial purple. "Just focus on sailing the ship and not flirting with me, mortal."

Enzo grinned and gently bopped her on the nose. "I'll do both." She snapped her teeth at him playfully, and it only made him grin wider. This was going to be fun.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Their first stop was going to be Cuma, near Napoli. It was a short sail from Ostia, so they set out after they were packed. They had everything they could possibly need, but Eris's anxiety was still erratic. Traveling conventionally was always hazardous when you generated chaos. She had to keep reminding herself as long as Enzo was around, they should be fine.

"You okay? You don't get seasick, do you?" Enzo asked from his place at the ship's wheel.

Eris had thought that navigating the ship with the two of them was going to be tricky, but if anything, Enzo's mood improved by the moment. He bustled around, working like he had grown up on the vessel. Eris found herself unable to look away as he went about his tasks, turned on by his efficiency.

"I don't get seasick. I'm just…never mind, it's going to sound stupid," Eris said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

"You forget I was a therapist. I've quite literally heard it all," Enzo replied. He patted the place beside him. "Come over here and tell me all about it."

Eris hesitated, and unable to resist, she joined him at the wheel. "I'm nervous because I have always found traveling hard.Cars are the easiest because I can take back roads where I won't cause as much damage with my curse."

"What if you have to cross water?" he asked, staring at the horizon.

"There are magical means for me to travel if I have to use them. Even those paths lead me to strange places at times." Eris couldn't resist teasing him, so she added, "The last time I tried to sail on a boat, my curse attracted a kraken."

"Isn't kraken a kind of squid? I hear they are good eating," Enzo replied, making her laugh.

"You're not even a little bit worried?"

Enzo shook his head, sending his dark curls bouncing. "No. I'm with you now, so your curse shouldn't be attracting any nasties, right?"

"I hope so, but I really don't know," Eris said honestly.

They were quiet for a time, both of them watching the waves and the sunlight dancing on them.

Enzo said, "It must have been so hard for you. To live in fear of what could happen around you all of the time."

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